Baby-carriage



(No Model.)

W. A. MAR UA.

BABY CARRIAGE. No. 498,440. 4 Patented May 30, 189.3.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

W'ILLIAM A. MARQUA, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

BABY-CARRIAGE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 498,440, dated May 30, 1893. Application filed February 2, 1893- Serial No. 460,753. (No model.)

To a. whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM A. MARQUA, a citizen of the United States, residing at Oincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Baby-Carriages, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates more especially to improvements in drop or reclining backs for baby-carriages, the novel features of which being fully hereinafter explained and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a longitudinal elevation of the main portion or body of a baby-carriage embodying my invention, with the back in its closed position for supporting the child when sitting up, the running-gear and wheels of the vehicle being omitted; Fig. 2 a view similar to Fig. 1, but with the back inclined or thrown outward at an angle on its hinges for supporting the child in a semi-reclining position; Fig.3 a broken longitudinal section of my invention, with the back in the position shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 a transverse section on line 00, to, Fig. 2, looking rearwardly as indicated by the arrow; and Fig. 5 a detail perspective view of one of the slotted side rods or stays.

A represents the bottom of the carriagebody; a and a the side-rails supported by Vertical bars or posts I), 1), those I) being the tailend ones which are preferably somewhat greater in height than the others; and B the back or tail-board, mounted on hinges B, at the rear end of said bottom.

C, C, are slotted stay-rods or braces pivotally connected at their rear ends to the back 13 by means of ears D, the latter being fastened on the side-bars cl of said back preferably near the outer or upper ends thereof.

a, c, are horizontal bolts, whose shanks project outwardly from the side-rails a, a, near said rear-posts b, passing through the slots in said stay-rods, and having washers c and locknuts or thumb-screws c on their outer threaded ends, whereby the hinged back B is firmly held, either at the desired inclination away from the said rear-posts, or closed upright between said rear-posts.

E,represents afiexible-filling or side-curtain stretched between the rear-posts b and the side-bars of the back B, preferably formed in afolding or expansible manner similar to the leather in a bellows or accordion, or the flexible material in a folding-fan,as clearly shown commodate said flexible filling or curtains in their folded or collapsed position, as seen in Figs. 1 and 4. a

In the operationof my invention, the back B may be inclined on its hinges outwardly from the body, and readilyadjusted to any angle within the scope or limit of the slots in the side stay-rods or braces O, G, and firmly held in such outward position, or in its closed position between the rear-posts, by meansot the thumb-screws, and in case said thumbscrews and bolts become loose accidentally or otherwise, the flexible-fillin gs would catch and hold the said back, having the childs head resting against it, safe from falling and thus preventing injury to the child or damage to said back. The side-fillings E, when the back is dropped into reclining position, also protect and shield the childs head from draft and excessive light, especially when it is reposing or asleep. 1

It is obvious that my reclining back can be used with or without the filling E, but I prefer the latter for the reason that there would be an unsightly opening at both sides when said back is thrown outward, exposing the childs head to draft, light, and other obvious disadvantages.

Instead of arranging the stay-rods to operate on the outside of the body rails,it is obvious that they could be made to project and operate back of said rails within. the upholstery or side cushions, but any necessary repairs thereto would be difficult, as well, also, the orignal construction thereof.

I have shown in dotted lines, the usual seat F, which is adjustable longitudinally on its supports, to move rearwardly for proper contact with the back B when the latter is arranged or set in a reclining position.

It is obvious that the stay-rods could be made longer and curved into an are or sector if desired, and the slots and side-fillings made of such length as to permit the back to be dropped toa horizontalaposition, butthe construction shown, .I have found inpractice to;

be the desired one for the purposes herein stated. It is also obvious that, if desired, said adjusting stay-rods could be dispensed with, and the hinged-back B simplyprovidedwith the flexible and collapsing side curtains or fillings E, to support it when thrown outward into said reclining-position and shieldath'ezreposing child from draft and light, as aforesaid. In that event any suitable catch or latch device could-be-used-to connect OiihOld':

the back upright when closed.

' V I claim- 1. In a baby-carriage the combination with thebody-havi ng uprightside-pieces, of aback B hinged za-t'its lower-edge or bottom, slotted side-staysorv braces G, :O', and thumb-screw fasteningedevicesc, c thelatter-engagingthe slottedsportions of saidlbraces and the said upright-sidesof "the body, and'the rear ends of said braces hinged or pivotally connected to ears'D on said back, substantiallyasherei in set-forth.

2. In a baby-carriage, the combination with a body.A having vertical sides, .of a hinged tail-board or back B, slotted stay-rods or braces O, O, thumb-screw fastening-devices c, 0 and flexible and collapsing fillings or side-curtains ,E, saidkstay-rods being-hinged or pivotally connectedat their rear ends to said back, and

the curtains or fillings E stretched between iand connected at their opposite ends to the rear ends or posts of said sides of the body,

and to said back B, respectively, substantially in the manner and @for the purpose, specified.

3. In a baby-carriage, the combination with the body having vertical-sides, of a tail-board or back B hinged to said body, and a pair of rfiexible and collapsi ng-s-ide fillingsorcurtains Einterposed or stretched between said hinged- =Iback= andvertical-sidcs, and connected at'b'oth {ends :thereto substantially as and for theipurpose specified.

WILLIAM' A. MA RQUA: Witnesses:

L. M. J ONES, JOHN JONES. 

